5.30.2011

>>STYLE FILE - JAPAN FASHION WEEK TOKYO

For years, I have made many trips to Tokyo and Osaka to shop and observe the trends.  The Japanese are known for being cutting edge and always ahead of the trends.  They are especially well known for their street fashion and are the trendsetters of the next seasons. Many fashion designers flock to these destinations to observe and make note of what's trending and make it more commercial.

Online source, Japan Fashion Week Toyko  is a great resource for those who are not able to travel and visit these key cities.  You can view many of their street shots and make the observations of what the up and coming key trends are.

Check out their latest 2011-12 AW Collection Report. This report features the latest info on shows, installations and exhibits.

5.29.2011

>>COLOR COLLECTIVE - LAUREN WILLHITE

Lauren Willhite is a Graphic Designer based in Portland, Oregon. She is the creator of the Color Collective the blog that provides color palette resources for designers. The color palettes she pulls from the work of various designers, artist and photographers that inspires her. Her goal is that you are inspired too and that you use these color palettes for your own projects.

Below are some of her recent color palettes from her blog and be sure to visit her site to collect more..... I purposely picked various inspirations to show you how everything can inspire you, from clothing, to interior, to art and even food. She does an awesome job pulling these together.





5.28.2011

>>DESIGN CONTEST - NINE WEST


The global fashion brand Nine West is inviting artists to submit their graphics, illustrations and print designs in the theme of ‘Spring Summer’. Designers will have the chance to have their design printed on a tote bag for a Nine West limited edition collection and to receive $2200.

DESIGN A PRINT FOR NINE WEST 2011 - final submissions 6/22/2011

Here is the link to submit your application, Talent House - Nine West.

5.27.2011

>>APLF TREND REPORT - WOMEN'S, MEN'S -FOOTWEAR/ACCESSORIES

fashion access logo


APLF Trade Show Report | Women's Men's | Footwear Accessories
: The outlook for Spring / Summer 2012 is a season looking for balance, in which nature and technological innovation team up in a dynamic search for elegance, a sustainable world and generous colour. It is time to step out in a lively, bold spirit, mixing and matching, taking risks. Olivier Guillemin, in collaboration with the Comite Francais de la Couleur, present a Material Trend report at APLF Material with colors and textures that apply to the leather accessories market,. Prepare for the upcoming season, and the Fashion Access trade show, which features finished leather accessories and footwear.

Reports from APLF and We Connect Fashion.

Accessories Materials and Color Trends S/S 2012

A season of more eclectic, open styles. Colours play on contrasts and paradoxes to surprise us and can be mixed without restraint:
• Subdued tones for reassuring elegance
• Natural, restful colours
• Exuberant, vivid flashes for fun and festivities
• Diaphanous colours for new romanticism with an eye on the future A season with very subtle changes in textures and effects.The beautiful classics play at innovation.Surface effects and finishes are inspired by nature, but an idealised nature.Technical materials go sophisticated and romantic.Textures and materials fuse to create vibrating effects.




 Materials and textures take their inspiration from nature:
• Nappa - Goat grain - Suede flesh split - Coloured metallic leather, perlato - Supple vegetable leather - Exotic fish skins: stingray, eel, perch - Carapaces and big reptiles - Glossy short-haired pelts - Coated or double-sided canvas - Irregular, glossy or patent leather plaits - Bamboo.

• Changing, reflective, washed out, faded, tie & dye effects - Mossy effects - Glossy, wet, lacquered finishes - Camouflage net decoration - Traces, imprints, markings and engravings inspired by nature.

• Accessories: semi-precious stones and metals with changing looks, like meteorites - Malachite, agate and lapis lazuli.



 The beautiful classics play at seduction:
• Flawless smooth leather - Suede leather - Stiff box leather - Crushed lambskin - Supple upholstery leather - Patent leather - Double sided fabrics - Sanded mat leather - Slightly glittery leather.

• Satiny effects - Simplistic graphic perforations - Diagonal fringes - 50s scarf prints, floral and narrow stripes.

• Leather accessories, tassels and covered buckles - Murano-style under glass jewellery - Gold glitter jewellery - Precious stone trims.



Technical materials become more sophisticated and romantic.:
• Very fine leather - Aniline lambskin - Kangaroo - Matt cotton and chintz - Poplin and nylon canvas - PVC, neoprene and rubber - Translucent rubber - Transparent materials - Futuristic net and mesh.

• Lacquered textures - Iridescent changing effects - Puffy, parachute looks - Smooth or crushed papery feel - Summer quilting.

• Accessories: clear, translucent or white painted jewellery - Plastic and perforated crystal - Water-coloured mother-of-pearl, moonstone - Feathers and short summer furs.



Natural materials and the basics go blithely together:
• Washed nubuck - Heavy suede - Dried leather - Sanded, waxed, patinated suede calf - Grunge leather - Big, broad grains - Matt or washed ostrich - Elephant - Leather cut in scales - Dry scales, grey and sand python - Summer pelts, pony - Double-sided parchment - Coloured plaited straw - Plaited hessian - Lacquered cork sheets - Coarse-weave linen fabric.

• Broad 70s stripes, mattress ticking - Inspired graphic prints - Dry, rough, irregular or lacerated finishes.

• Primitive-look accessories - Plexiglas ethnic jewellery, belts and rat's tails - Retro gilt or enamelled metal jewellery buckles.

5.26.2011

>>FEATURED ARTIST - DONNA SY

Meet Donna Sy who is an Artist, Stylist and Fashion Blogger of  This Lady Behaves. We met thru a blogger community site and it was such a pleasure to meet her! I wanted to feature some of her unique and great illustration styles.......








© 2011 by Donna Sy. All rights reserved   
No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission. 

5.25.2011

>>TEXTILE ENCYCLOPEDIA

TEXTILE
[teks-tahyl, -til]

 –noun
1. any cloth or goods produced by weaving, knitting, or felting.
2. a material, as a fiber or yarn, used in or suitable for weaving: Glass can be used as a textile.

–adjective
3. woven or capable of being woven: textile fabrics.
4. of or pertaining to weaving.
5. of or pertaining to textiles or the production of textiles: the textile industry.

Origin:
1520–30; < Latin textilis  woven, textile  (noun use of neuter) woven fabric, equivalent to text ( us ), past participle of texere  to weave + -ilis, -ile -ile

TEXTILE is a word you will hear every day when you are working in the fashion industry. Designers become educated and familiar with the fabrications they use for their collections. If you are curious to know and learn some of the textile terms used in the fashion industry, Cotton Inc. has a great online TEXTILE ENCYCLOPEDIA.

5.23.2011

>>PATTERN PEOPLE - PRINT COLLECTION

If  you are in search for some great prints, Pattern People has an online catalog - Pattern People Catalogue.  Their collection includes prints for the apparel, beauty, paper goods and interiors industries.



Also if you are interested in creating and managing your own surface design career, check out their Pattern People EBook , Pattern Design and Beyond.

Excerpts below from the EBook website info:

With how-to pattern design guides, a thorough break-down of how the print industry operates, and loads of helpful resources, this publication provides a wealth of information for the burgeoning surface designer. The book also showcases over 80 international artists whose work illustrates the many print styles found in the market. Pattern Design & Beyond is an inspirational guide for students, professionals or anyone else with an appreciation for pattern design.

Download all 50 pages in pdf format for only $14.95

5.22.2011

>>ILLUSTRATIONS - STINA PERSSON

Stina Persson is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. I love her work where she uses different mediums to create her art. Watercolour, cut paper, handwritten, photo incorporated, arcylic and ink are a few of how she finishes off her beautiful work. 

To view her portfolio, Stina Persson Portfolio and to purchase her art you can go online to Cosh ,  Gallery Hanahou, Wonderwall.


5.21.2011

>>STYLE SIGHT

Style Sight is an amazing resource, providing you the tools to assess current trends in all areas of the fashion industry. Their reports are so effective during the design cycle and you can easily adopt them into your own inspiring ideas from concept to the finished product.

To learn more about their services and how to become a member, visit them online at Style Sight. You can also receive their monthly free newsletters, Style Sight Newsletter. And oh don't forget to check out their global style sightings, Stylesightings.





5.20.2011

>>INTERFILIERE FASHION TRENDS A/W 2012/13

Interfiliere is the world's leading trade fair for intimates and beachwear fabrics. Their next show is scheduled July 9-11 at the Paris Porte De Versailles Pavillion 1. To register and order your pass online - Interfiliere.

Fashion Trend Setter is an online fashion, color and trend forecasting e-zine. They provide up-to-date fashion information from the major trade fairs, trend reports and fashion forecasts. On this site you can download many of Interfiliere's trend reports.  Here are Interfiliere's Fashion Trends for Autumn/Winter 2012/13.






5.19.2011

>>DESIGN CONTEST - H&M T-SHIRTS

Artists and Designers, to kick start your career.....YOUR ART HERE is a arts and fashion design contest by H&M.

The competition will give five aspiring artists and designers the opportunity to gain valuable exposure and career traction by printing their work on H&M T-shirts - which will be sold all over the US.

Winning art pieces will also be exhibited in the window of H&M's New York store.


YOUR ART HERE CONTEST BY H&M - final submissions 5/25/2011


Here is the link to submit and upload your art, DEXIGNER - H&M DESIGN CONTEST

5.18.2011

>>COLOURLOVERS

COLOURlovers is a funtastical and amazing site for all the color lovers in this world..... You will definitely have lots of fun on this site, creating color palettes, prints and patterns.  They have quite an extensive amount of tools that will make the creative process as simple as possible. A great resource to help kickstart your next project or want to produce art.  They have the tools and services to help anyone from design inspiration to execution. Best of all its free and you can join their community of color lovers.

So check it out.....and have some fun designing your next project or checking out other people's inspirations.  Visit their site, COLOURlovers and here are a few samples from their site.





5.17.2011

>>PRINTS - GRAPHIC PRINT VOLUME 06 - VINTAGE

Graphic Print Volume 06 - Vintage Print Book

This is a very creative collection of vintage, retro, art deco and antique all over prints.  The color palettes range from midtones to brights that give the designs the aged look and feel of prints. These vintage prints can be used for accessories, jewelry, apparel, home textiles, wall coverings, gift wrap, advertising, web design and so much more.

This book includes a CD Rom in layers and Vector format which you can order from OPRNY.

Here are some samplings:



5.16.2011

>>ILLUSTRATIONS - LOLA DONOGHUE

Beautiful illustrations by Lola Donoghue who is an Irish artist who lives and works in the west coast of Ireland, in Co. Galway.  She holds a Fine Art degree and postgraduate diploma in Art & Design education and have also completed CE courses in fashion design, fashion illustration and printmaking.

Her beautiful illustrations are available from her Etsy store Art by Lola.




5.15.2011

>>SCHOLARSHIPS - THE ART DEPARTMENT

THE ART DEPARTMENT - final submissions 6/1/2011

To submit your application and artwork, here is the link: Talenthouse -The Art Department

The Art Department (TAD) is the first ever, career-driven, virtual and real-world entertainment, illustration and fine art college for both digital and traditional media, delivering a full art school education designed by today's top industry professionals.

TAD is the next-generation model for art education and is offering seven 30 month scholarships for the July 2011 semester to Talenthouse artists in any of these 4 areas of focus: Drawing + Painting, Illustration, Entertainment 2D and Entertainment 3D. This opportunity may be available to the exclusive virtual or hybrid programs at any of its 3 campuses in the United States.  TAD is enabling students to study directly with current leaders of the field, no matter where they come from.

5.14.2011

>>STYLE FILE - W MAGAZINE

I loved W Magazine's May article HIP HOP. A kaleido of colors and pop art prints, lots of great inspirations to get your creative minds going.....Great ideas for color schemes which I really like the unexpected color combinations they ensembled together. Can you truly mix that many prints together, the answer is YES, you just need to balance it altogether.

Photographs by Solve Sundsbo and styled by Lori Goldstein.



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